PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and state Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced that all schools in Arizona would be closed, beginning on March 16 through April 10, 2020, because of concerns surrounding the spread of coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.
The decision will likely disrupt your schedules. To try to help, we wanted to put together a list of resources that parents can use to either continue education at home, to help with meals, or to help with childcare while parents work. This list is in no way exhaustive, however.
Most school districts have their own individual plans in place, including the opening of facilities for breakfast and lunch. Please visit your specific school district's websites for more information.
Here are the websites to a few of the Valley's largest districts:
- Mesa School District
- Tempe Unified School District
- Phoenix Union High School District
- Chandler Unified School District
- Gilbert Public Schools
- Peoria Unified School District
- Scottsdale Unified School District
We will continue to update it information comes into the newsroom. Did we miss one that parents should know about? Send an email to share@abc15.com and let us know.
We have resources for families and educators!
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) March 19, 2020
✅ Virtual Learning Hub
✅ Online Learning for Arts, PE, Health, Virtual Field Trips
✅ McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance
✅ School Meals
Visit https://t.co/k5XyNGjWKK and select "Family & Educator Resources."
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Cox Communications: Cox is offering free WiFi hotspots, and Connect to Compete program for parents and families with students. Read more here.
Google Arts and Culture: Take a virtual field trip to museums and learn about arts and culture from around the world with virtual tours at some of the most famous attractions. There are over a thousand online exhibits from world renowned museums from Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland and many others. There are a large range of topics like historic events,art movements and more.
Google Experiments: Google has over 1,500 experiments that can be used online and through various other devices. "Experiments are projects that push the boundaries of art, technology, design and culture. Experiments inspire, teach, and delight." Check out all of the experiment collections Google has to offer at https://experiments.withgoogle.com/collections.
ABC Mouse: For children ages 2-8 this online based learning resource teaches children through interactive activities in reading, math, science, art & colors. This does come at a price however, the website is on a subscription based p for $9.95 a month. The site is also offering a special of the first month free and is advertised as "child safe" with no advertisements or external links. Visit the website at https://www.abcmouse.com/.
Scholastic Learn At Home: Scholastic announced last week that it had created a free, open-access digital hub -- Scholastic Learning at Home -- with education materials for children in Pre-K to Grades 6-9. According to the announcement, the website provides up to three hours of learning opportunities each day. Subjects include English language arts, STEM, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning. There is no login or account required. Parents can access the site at www.scholastic.com/learnathome.
Phoenix Art Museum: Since the museum also had to close its doors due to the COVID-19, they have opened a new bilingual site for a "virtual visit." You can visit them at https://phxart.org/art/art-collection/.
Kyrene School District, Learn At Home: The Kyrene School District has a website with a list of "at-home learning" resources, including access to the district's curriculum (special login required) and a few free resources.
Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a nonprofit with a "mission is to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere." Khan "(offers) exercises, quizzes, and tests so students can practice and master skills, as well as instructional videos to help students learn or review material," their website says. They are also holding special COVID-19 live streams for parents and teachers looking for resources. Learn more here.
Mathnasium: Most Mathnasium's - The Math Learning Centers in the Valley will be offering live, face-to-face instructions over an online platform. Parents can visit www.mathnasium.com to find a closest learning center near them and get more information.
PBS Learning Media For Kids: A free website (account required) with different activities. Visit https://az.pbslearningmedia.org/student/.
PBS Kids Daily Newsletter: Parents can sign up for the PBS KIDS Daily Newsletter for activities and tips for kids to learn at home.
Smithsonian: Parents and kids can play games, take a 3D look at some of the Smithsonian's collections, and view photos and information about specific items in its collection. Visit https://www.si.edu/kids.
DAY CAMPS
Editor's note: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Great Scottsdale announced Wednesday that it was closing its five locations, after announcing days earlier that it would open its facilities to help families affected by the school closures. In light of that, we have removed their entry from our listing.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (formerly East Valley and Metro Phoenix organizations): Some clubs remain open. Get the latest information here.
Children's Learning Adventure Daycare Centers: Children's Learning Adventure said it would waive all registration fees for families affected by the school closures. It will also offer full camp programs from 6 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. There are three locations in the Phoenix metro: Laveen, Maricopa, and Scottsdale. Visit www.childrenslearningadventure.com for more information.
Valley of the Sun YMCA: The YMCA said it has extended its spring break programs until March 27 because of the recent school closures. There are fifteen branches in the state. Programs may vary between branches. You will have to call each branch to check availability and costs. Visit https://valleyymca.org/spring-break-camp for more information.
Impact Gymnastics Academy: A day camp will be hosted for every day that school is closed. The camp is $25 per day for any amount of time between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Children will be in groups of 10 or fewer, for children ages 4 (and potty-trained) to 17. The temperature of each child will be taken before they walk into the gym. To register for day camp, please go online at www.impactgymaz.com, contact our Hospitality Desk at 602-870-7574, or simply drop in. It is located at: 7812 N 12th St B, Phoenix.
Dysart Unified School District: At the request of the Governor for additional child care options, we are once again offering our Spring Camp and Growing Minds Preschool. Priority for these programs will first be given to essential medical, public safety and military personnel, second to current Den Club participants, and then to the general public. Limited space is available, and will be based on staffing capacity. Please note that we are taking additional precautions to ensure the health and safety of the children and staff in these programs. Health screenings for students and staff will take place twice a day, additional cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be followed, and class sizes will be reduced to ensure space for social distancing. Parents can enroll or get more information online at dysart.org/communityeducation.
Imagination Childcare: Imagination Childcare remains open (6:00 am to 6:30 pm) and has 10 openings for preschool age children. Waiving all enrollment fees. We serve ages 1 through 5. Imagination Childcare/Preschool has implemented increased cleaning and monitoring during the corona virus outbreak and is following AZ DHS and CDC guidelines. Located at 5220 N. Dysart Rd, Litchfield Park. Call 623-535-9960 or go to www.imaginationchildcare.com.
Phoenix Preparatory Preschool: Phoenix Preparatory Preschool is open. They are an academic preschool and child care center educating children 4 weeks to 5 years old. During this time, they will accept children up to 8 years old. They are waiving registration fees for Essential Workers. Phoenix Preparatory Preschool is located in Phoenix at 802 W Osborn Rd., and you can call them at 602-274-7557.
MEALS
The Laveen Elementary School District started serving meals from 10 district bus stops Wednesday to further expand our free meals program. The school says to look out for their school buses at the locations below to pick up breakfast (8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.) and lunch (12:00 p.m.. – 1:00 p.m).
35th Ave & Estes Way
41st Ave & Winston Dr
39th Ave & Maldonado Rd
37th Ln & Lynne Ave
39th Ave & Burgess Ln
53rd Ave & Glass Ln
55th Ave & Novak Way
Seely St & Riverwalk Dr
57th Ave & Vineyard Rd
Shumway Farm Rd, Between 77th Ln & 76th Glen
In addition, the district will be offering free breakfast and lunch to all children between the ages of 1 and 18 on a grab and go basis. Families may stop by any of our schools (except Vista) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, and 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Children must be present to take a meal. Adult meals are not available. Families do not need to register for meals and there are no income requirements. We hope to expand this service to off-site locations in the coming days. For more information, click here.
St. Vincent De Paul: For those looking for one of St. Vincent de Paul's food banks or to visit one of its dining halls, click here. The organization said it is in need of monetary donations. It has also limited the amount of volunteers.
United Food Bank’s Help Yourself Food Distribution: Each Friday, from 8 a.m. - noon, those with an "immediate need" can visit United Food Bank's Help YourSelf Co-Op to receive food, as long as supplies last. The food bank is located at 358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210.
Arizona Food Bank Network: The Arizona Food Bank Network has a website allowing you to search your location to find a food bank near you. Check that website here.
Harvest Compassion Center: Harvest Compassion Center offers families free groceries, hygiene items, clothing and baby items. The location in north Phoenix is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Maryvale location is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. They are also looking for donations and volunteers under the age of 65. More details can be found here.
Gilbert Public Schools: Pick Up and Go Meals will be provided for kids 18 and younger, and free meals will be served starting Tuesday, March 17.Get more information here.
Harris Elementary 1820 S. Harris Drive Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday thru Friday
Highland Junior High 6915 E. Guadalupe Rd Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday thru Friday
Meridian Elementary 3900 South Mountain Rd Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday thru Friday
Greenfield Junior High 101 S. Greenfield Rd Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday thru Friday
South Valley Junior 2034 South Lindsay Road Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 AM Lunch 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Monday thru Friday
Kyrene School District: Kyrene will be providing bagged meals for any child 18 years old and under beginning Tuesday, March 17 at various pick-up locations. Each bag will include a cold breakfast and lunch. Please call 480-541-1660 or email foodservice@kyrene.org with any questions. Meals will be available at the following locations and times:
Kyrene Family Resource Center (FRC) 1330 E. Dava Dr. Tempe, AZ 85283, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Kyrene de la Colina parking lot 13612 S. 36th Street, Phoenix AZ 85044, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pueblo Middle School parking lot 360 S. Twelve Oaks Boulevard, Chandler, AZ 85226, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pascua Yaqui Building, Itom Hiapsi 9405 S. Avenida Del Yaqui, Guadalupe, AZ 85283, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
South Mountain Community Center 212 E Alta Vista Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042, 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Gila River Reservation, Thwajik Ki Treatment Center 3850 N. 16th St., Chandler, AZ 85226, 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
Additionally, families can pick up food boxes and hygiene supplies at the FRC. To limit contact, these items will be available through the garage door. The main building will not be open. FRC hours will be 7:00-7:00, Tuesday-Friday, March 17-20. The Kyrene Family Resource Center is located next to Kyrene de los Ninos, 1330 E. Dava Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283.
Tempe Elementary School District: Tempe Elementary School District is providing a free grab-and-go meal pantry in order for student meals to be picked up and taken home while schools are closed. No need to park your car! You can drive up or walk to the school office at one of our nine serving locations and Nutrition Services staff will hand you your meals, during the specified serving times in the survey. Meals are for any student under the age of 18, regardless of what school district they attend. Please complete the following survey, if you haven't already, so that they can best serve these students and get an estimate on the number of meals that are needed. Feeding Locations:
Arredondo Elementary, 1330 E. Carson Dr., Tempe 85282
Connolly Middle School, 2002 E. Concorda Dr., Tempe 85282
Frank Elementary, 8409 S. Avenida del Yaqui, Guadalupe 85283
Holdeman Elementary, 1326 W. 18th St., Tempe 85281
Laird School, 1500 N. Scovel St., Tempe 85281
Nevitt Elementary, 4525 E. St. Anne Ave., Phoenix 85042
Scales Technology Academy, 1115 W. 5th St., Tempe 85281
Thew Elementary, 2130 E. Howe Ave., Tempe 85281
Wood Elementary, 727 W. Cornell Dr.,Tempe 85283
Roosevelt School District: Roosevelt School District will be serving grab-and-go meals Monday through Friday during this school closure. Beginning Monday, March 23, the times to pick up both breakfast and lunch meals has changed to 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at each school site. In addition, we have added a new mobile meal delivery program to bus stops. You can also now pick up the grab and go meals from a our Roosevelt School District mobile delivery. School busses and vans will be driving to neighborhood bus stops between 10 a.m. and Noon daily Monday through Friday. See list of participating schools and additional resources for food here. Students from any school can participate at any school. For more information: 602-243-4814.
Sal's Gilbert Pizzeria: The pizzeria posted on Facebook Sunday, saying: "Sal’s Gilbert Pizza knows with school being close and many children will be without that school lunch they depend on, we are going to be here for them. Just come in at lunch 10-3 Tuesday thru Friday until school opens. And your child will get to pick 1 kids meal at no charge."
Scottsdale Unified School District: The Scottsdale Unified School District Nutrition Services Department will provide an opportunity for families to drive thru or walk up at several school sites to pick up meals for the children in their family between the ages of 1 and 18. Children do not need to be an enrolled student or approved for the free and reduced meal program in order to receive meals. Students will receive two meals: one breakfast and one lunch.
Navajo Elementary, 7501 E. Oak St., Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Tavan Elementary, 4610 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85018
Yavapai Elementary, 701 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Tonalea K-8, 6720 E. Continental Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Tempe Union High School District: Beginning Wednesday, March 18th, meals will be available for pick up at three of our school locations (Mountain Pointe, Marcos de Niza, Tempe High) from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Anyone 18 and under will be able to pick up two meals at a time for themselves: lunch for the current day, plus breakfast for the following day. Students must be present in order to receive meals. Meals are open to all youth. Students do not need to be current TUHSD to pick up meals. Get more information here.
Burger King: Starting Monday, March 20, Burger King is offering TWO FREE kids meals with any purchase via the BK app for takeout/drive-thru nationwide at participating U.S restaurants while supplies last. The coupon offer can be redeemed one time per guest daily through April 6, 2020.
Flagstaff Unified School District: The Flagstaff Unified School District will begin a grab and go breakfast and lunch food service beginning on Monday, March 23, 2020. Both breakfast and lunch meals will be provided for pick up only Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the sites and dates listed below:
Coconino High School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020, Accessible via Mountain Line Routes 2 and 7
Cromer Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020
Killip Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020, Accessible via Mountain Line Route 7
Kinsey Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020, Accessible via Mountain Line Routes 4 and 14
Leupp Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020
Marshall Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020, Accessible via Mountain Line Route 5
Thomas Elementary School: March 23, 2020 - March 27, 2020, Accessible via Mountain Line Route 2
Dysart Unified School District: Dysart Unified School District is adding eight new sites for grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meal service, beginning Monday, April 6. Breakfast and lunch are provided for community members 18 and under at no cost, and are served Monday - Friday between 11:00am and 1:00pm.
Sites for meal distribution include:
- Asante Preparatory Academy - 23251 N 166th Dr, Surprise, AZ 85387
- Ashton Ranch Elementary School - 14898 W Acoma Dr, Surprise, AZ 85379
- El Mirage Elementary School - 13500 North El Mirage Road, El Mirage, AZ 85335
- Dysart High School - 11425 N Dysart Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335
- Kingswood Elementary School - 15150 W Mondell Rd, Surprise, AZ 85374
- Luke Elementary School - 7300 N Dysart Rd, Glendale, AZ 85307
- Riverview School - 12701 N Main St, El Mirage, AZ 85335
- Shadow Ridge High School - 10909 N Perryville Road, Surprise, AZ 85388
- Sonoran Heights Elementary School - 11405 N Greer Ranch Parkway, Surprise, AZ 85379
- Sunset Hills Elementary School - 17825 W Sierra Montana Loop, Surprise, AZ 85388
- Surprise Elementary School - 12907 W Greenway Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335
- Thompson Ranch Elementary School - 11800 W Thompson Ranch Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335
- Willow Canyon High School - 17901 W Lundberg St, Surprise, AZ 85388
Milestones Private Preschool & Charter School: Starting Monday, March 23, 2020, Milestones will be offering free meals to any child 18 or younger. Regardless of application status or school enrollment. Each child present at the time of service will receive ONE breakfast meal and ONE lunch meal. Meals will be available Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. via drive-thru pick up.
Career Success Tech Campus: 3816 N 27th Ave., Phoenix. Monday-Friday 8-8:30 a.m.
Sage Elementary: 3120 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Monday-Friday, 7-8 a.m.
Painted Desert: 2400 S. 247th Ave., Buckeye. Monday-Thursday 8-8:30 a.m.
Robert L Duffy High School: 2550 E. Jefferson St, Phoenix. Monday-Friday 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Sabis International: 1903 E. Roeser Rd., Phoenix. Monday-Friday 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Humboldt Unified School District: The Humboldt School District will be providing free prepackaged breakfast and lunch meals to all children who are 18 years and younger. Meal service will be offered from 11:30 to 1:00 Monday through Friday. Breakfast for the following day will be given out during lunch. Please note that we are not open at breakfast but a breakfast meal for the following day will be given during lunch service the day before. Meals will be given in a walk-up/drive-through fashion. There will be no congregate seating. All pick up location are outside. Meals will be offered at the following sites: Lake Valley Elementary School: School Bus Drop Off; Coyote Springs Elementary School: Front of School Office; Humboldt Elementary School: At the Front Gate; Mountain View Elementary School: Front of School Office
Mesa couple collecting food for families impacted by school closures: A Mesa couple is stepping up to help Valley families who rely on school lunches. Emma and her husband Jovan were inspired to help others after hearing the news of school closures. The Gonzalez's are collecting non-perishable food items to fill any potential gaps in meal availability. They plan on distributing the individually packaged food items around Stapley and Broadway roads. in Mesa. If you're interested in helping, the Gonzales' set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to purchase food items.
